The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1887-01-29
HE HELPED THE KING.
by Being Faithful in Small Thing a
Shepherd Boy Became Greatly Hon

by Being Faithful in n Small Thing a
Shepherd Boy Became Greatly Hon
ored.
There was little shephertl-boy who
kept his sheep down in lonely valley.
War was raging in the land, and the
boy would have liked to go out and
fight against the enemy, but he was too
young. He was good boy, careful
of his sheep and kind to his dog, and
active and industrious at his work;
and at home he was obedient and gen
tie, and always ready to do good
turn for any one. But, though he liked
his work, he would have liked better to
fight. and he was very sorry that he
could not be soldier. One day n
long column of loose soldiers, with
bright red coats and flashing helmets,
and trumpets sounding, rode through
the valley on their way to battle.
Among them was a young soldier, a
cousin of the shepherd-boy, and not
many years older. The boy called to
him, and bade him goodbye, and as
the soldiers disappeared at the end of
the valley, he said to himself: 81
wish l were as old us my
cousin, that I might 90 out to
fight the Kings battles. He will risk
his life to help the King, and, may be,
he may do something great, and help
to win a battle and save our country;
but l can do nothing but stay here and
watch few sheep. l wish could do
something to help the King" AS he
said these words pigeon came came
hurriedly flying close over his head.
The boy looked up, and there was
hawk chasing after her. The poor bird
flew round and round, and here and
there, and managed to escape as far as
the next meadow; but she was close
followed at every turn by the hungry
hawk, and it was clear that she would
be caught in a minute, if no help came.
There was no time to go round by the
gate, so in a moment the boy jumped
on high stone-wall that parted the
two meadows; it was high wall, and
there was a steep, rough rock on the
other side. The jump was dangerous
one, but without moments hesitation
the brave lad leaped down, and
the next moment-though he sprain-
ed his foot and fell, striking one
cheek against sharp edge in the
rock-he was up again on his feet,
and flinging his crook at the hawk
he stopped him just in time to save the
poor trembling pigeon. Then he took
up the pigeon, more dead than alive,
and stroked it gently. In few min
utes it seemed to gain strength and
courage. Meantime, the shepherd-boy,
limping as he went, carried the bird
round to the meadow where he was
keeping his sheep. And now, while he
was feeding the pigeon with some bread
crumbs it came into his mind: "What
am l to do with this pretty bird?" At
trst he said: "Iwill take it home to my
brothers and sisters. '.How pleased
they will be!' Then it occurred to
him: perhaps the pigeon belongs to
some one else. Indeed it must, for it's
not a wild wood-pigeon, but tame
one; and besides, some one has tied
silk thread and n piece of paper round
its neck. But then, have not saved itp
It would have been killed but for me.
Surely it belongs to me. And besides,
i let it go, may not another hawk kill
tP" All this he thought to himself, and
part of it he spoke aloud. But when
ne had finished, his conscience told him
hat he ought not to keep the pigeon;
It was very hard to let it go, but it was
light. So he kissed the pigeon and
said: "Good-bye; go home to your
master who gave you your little silk
collar"
Away flew the pigeon straight toward
castle at the top of hill long way
'ff, and at the same time away galloped
l man on horseback down in the deep
anc that ran by the side of the meadow.
The boy wondered for a, minute who it
was that had been quietly waiting in
he lane, but soon he forgot all about
hat. Now, you must know that this
nan who galloped off when the pigeon
lew away was no other than the King.
The King had been riding Il little be-
iind his soldiers, and had heard all the
shepherd boys complaints, and how he
wanted to do something to help the
King. He had also noticed how
he brave boy had jumped from
he top of high wall and
lad saved the pigeon. Moreover,
ust as the pigeon was rising to
ly away, he had noticed the little piece
If paper tied by the silk thread round
he pigeons neck. He had not noticed
his while the bird was in the boys
land, but when it began to flap its
wings, he caught sight of it, and then
he knew at once that it was one of his
'wn carrier pigeons bringing note to
his castle, and that was why us soon as
he pigeon flew oil the King gallope,l
'ff as well, for he wanted to see whau
lews the pigeon brought him. When
ie reached home he saw the pigeon
waiting for him, and on opening the
iote, he found that it was from one of
his Generals, telling him where the
'nemy We're encamped, and showing
him how he could bring up a fresh
lrmy, and SO no might defeat the
,nemy. About month after this back
,ame the soldiers, again riding through
he valley with the King at their head.
And this time their trumpets sounded,